Rabbitohs vs Storm

Matchups - Greg Inglis vs Billy Slater. The game's two premier fullbacks go head to head in what will be one of the greatest duels ever. Both teams rely heavily on these two jokers to provide attacking flair as well as drawing a lot of defensive attention. Look for plays where Inglis or Slater are hovering around but are used as a decoy.

John Sutton vs Brett Finch. Both are over shadowed by their super star comrades but their importance must not be over looked. Sutton will play a very physical game letting Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds do most of the kicking while Finch will only do a solid job and get the ball in to the hands of guys like Ryan Hoffman and Maurice Blair. Keep an eye out for the sneaky inclusion of Gareth Widdop however.

Key Players - The Rabbitohs forward pack have an opportunity to really stamp their mark on the finals and beat the Melbourne Storm up. The Storm will do their best to get their wrestle on and slow the Bunnies down, but given the size of the Big Bunnies I would expect that the Storm might have trouble containing the middle of the field.

Keep an eye on - It will be interesting to see whether or not, teams who are now on equal terms (if not better) to the Storm are able to nulify the effect of the Big 3. The Rabbitohs have some pretty good inside information in the form of ex Storm coaching staff and former players, so keep a close eye on the impact of the Big 3. You would expect that the Bunnies would have spent a lot of time covering the Storm's 3 headed dragon, so I would expect them to do a pretty swell job of shutting them down. On the flipside to that, the Storm could come up with new and exciting ways to get their Big 3 at the forefront of each attack.

Verdict - Rabbitohs <12. The Bunnies have too much size and power for the Storm. Throw in the ever maturing Adam Reynolds and a Greg Inglis who is in possibly the biggest finals series of his stellar career, and you have a team capable of beating the Storm up while also able to execute the more intricate aspects of rugby league.

Sharks vs Cowboys

Matchups - Gavin Cooper vs Luke Lewis. This will be an interesting battle as both back rowers are big lads who can also foot it with the best of them. They will both play off their inside men most likely to be Jonathan Thurston and Todd Carney respectively and run tough lines that could reap big rewards.

Matt Scott/James Tamou vs Andrew Fifita - Matt Scott is doubtful which will make the Cowboys job of containing Andrew Fifita that much more difficult. To even try stop Fifita, the Cowboys will need big bodies who can get up in his grill and limit his mobility. In James tamou and Matt Scott, I think they have two guys who will be able to do so.

Key Players - Brent Tate and Kane Linnett - The Sharks two centres are guys who will do a good job but not do anything fantastic. The Cowboys on the other hand have two centres who are two fantastic players at opposite ends of the career spectrum. Look out for Thurston and Robert Lui to give Tate and Linnett early ball and run amuck out wide.

Keep an eye on - Those who make the cut. Both teams have extended benches thanks largely to injury so keep an eye out for who gets a run and who is left out. Matt Scott's injury worries could provide the Cowboys with some big problems as they will be down a prop with the most likely scenario being someone like Glenn Hall or Scott Bolton spending a lot of time in the middle.

Verdict - I'm picking the Cowboys here >12. For me the Sharks are somewhat limited in their attacking options and lack any form of strike power outside of what Todd Carney provides. You'd expect the Cowboys to do a pretty good job of keeping Carney in check so that should limit the Sharks opportunities. The Cowboys have the size and skill to trouble the Sharks across the board and could rack up a few points as Thurston and Bowen could run a muck through a big, tired Sharks pack.

Roosters vs Sea Eagles

Matchups - Michael Jennings vs Jamie Lyon. Wow what a battle this is going to be! Jennings is blessed with pace and power which will give Lyon his biggest test of the year. Jennings will provide a threat with the things he can do with the ball in his hands as he will run in to holes and look to break plenty of tackles. Lyon on the other hand will provide plenty of opportunities for those inside and outside of him as his touches of class will ensure that the Roosters defence is always kept guessing.

SBW vs Glenn Stewart - Ooooohwee another match up that will make league fans weak at the knees. Both are extremely talented players who's physical and mental abilities are matched by the natural skills that they possess. There aren't many guys in the NRL who when the ball gets to them, have options. Much like Charlie Sheen, these two have options that keep everyone guessing. Can't wait.

Key Players - Manly forward pack. The Roosters have a big pack who love to bully their opposition through the middle. They are going to be missing Jared Waerea_hargreaves however and could find themselves up the creek without a paddle. Manly have a group of forwards who are extremely mobile and have the ability to run the Roosters forwards around. If they can anyway get quick play the balls through the middle, it's all over.

Keep an eye on - Which pair of halves dominates. Both teams have halves who have performed consistently well all season and who each offer a different skill set. The most interesting aspect will be whether either set of halves can still keep their team in the game if their forwards aren't doing the job. 40/20's and long, early kicks deep in to the corners could be the power plays.

Verdict - Another battle for the ages. I'm going with Manly <12. I am highly doubtful about Manly's crop of injuries last week as it could quite simply have been a case of players needing rest. They got their rest and will be extremely prepared for what the Roosters can offer. Expect the Sea Eagles to target specific areas of the Rooster's defensive line as well as ensuring that they are working the ball out of their own goal line as much as they can. Manly have been there, done that. The Roosters are still learning.

Bulldogs vs Knights

Matchups - Dale Finucane vs Jeremy Smith. This two are prototypes of each other except one his old and one is young. It speaks volumes of the type of game that this will be. Tough and uncompromising, this encounter will be similar to a gladiator battle and these two will be at the heart of it trying to dominate the wrestle and impose themselves physically.

Key Players - Akuila Uate has done nothing all season except make a fool of himself really. All will be forgiven if he is somehow able to become the game changer he could be, over night. The Knights have a solid team who will provide their opposition with a tough game, but won't instill any sense of fear in the Bulldogs. This all changes if Uate gets involved and can hold the ball better than a baby holding a bar of soap.

Keep an eye on - The use of Ben Barba. Barba has been named on the bench and will be introduced in to the game in some capacity at some stage. How and when, will be the most interesting aspect of the weekend. Will he come on and have free reign to chime in where he likes? If so, we could witness a revolutionary new style of play. I can't imagine him coming on to play anywhere where he'll have to do much tackling so keep an eye out for where he pops up.

Verdict - Hard to go past the Bulldogs <12. This will be a battle of attrition which will all change once Ben Barba enters the arena. The Dogs will look to implement their short passing game amongst their forwards which will trouble the Knights especially on the edges. I ahte him, but Mick Ennis could have a big impact on the game as he will thrive on any quick play the balls, getting this old Knights pack going backwards.